Concealed weight incorporating upper body garment

ABSTRACT

A concealed weight incorporating upper body garment includes a weighted layer concealed beneath an outer layer to allow a user to obtain a fitness or anxiety related benefit while the outer layer conceals the weight, does not exhibit drooping effects from the weight, and can be made of a variety of material regardless of the weight capacity of such material. The weighted layer having weighted packets containing weighted material within. In embodiments, the weighted packets attach to or are formed from the weighted layer around a lower portion thereof. The weighted material fully fills the weighted packets to prevent shifting in an embodiment. The weighted packets form a grid pattern along the weighted layer to balance the weight in another embodiment. The garment also alternatively includes an additional lining layer affixed to the outer layer with the weighted layer and weighted packets between. The garment also having access areas to add, remove, or change out weighted packets when the packets are removably attached to the weighted layer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.63/240,387 entitled CONCEALED WEIGHT INCORPORATING UPPER BODY GARMENT,filed on Sep. 3, 2021, which is hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

The following disclosure relates to weighted clothing. Morespecifically, the following disclosure relates to upper body clothingwith hidden weights.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Weighted clothing has been utilized in fitness training to increasecaloric burn and muscle mass during exercise or other routine movements.Moreover, weighted clothing has also been used as an aid to therapy tohelp slow or prevent the loss of bone density. Additionally, the rise ofpopularity in weighted blankets for sleep and anxiety related purposeshas led to the use of compression and weighted upper body clothing forthose same purposes. Traditional commercial examples of weighted attireinclude weighted vests and weight belts along with wrist and ankleattachable weights. However, these traditional examples generally havenot been cosmetically attractive, dissuading their use outside of a gymor fitness center context, no matter their benefit to fitness or atherapy application.

In an effort to increase utility, previous attempts have been made tocreate more aesthetically pleasing weighted clothing, particularly forupper body clothing, by making the weights non-conspicuous. For example,U.S. Pat. No. 6,665,879 discloses a durable weighted vest insert toproduce a calming effect in users. The insert has a plurality of sealedcompartments having weights in an anterior and posterior portion. Weightdistribution is configured to provide a uniform and even pressurepredominately over the upper muscles of the back and high on thepectoral muscles (i.e., an anterior and posterior shoulder girdle) whenplaced on a user and can be determined as a percentage of a user's bodyweight. The insert has mechanical fasteners such as pressure sensitivefastening materials, zippers, buttons, ties, or hooks on an exposedsurface. The invention can also include a vest having an interiorsurface comprising opposing mechanical fasteners placed corresponding tothe fasteners of the insert whereby the insert can be incorporated andconcealed within the vest.

Additionally, U.S. Patent Publication Number 2014/0005010 discloses anexercise garment includes pockets for carrying weights in anon-conspicuous manner. The pockets are strategically located on theexercise garments in order to enhance concealment of the weight when thegarment is worn by an individual. One such strategic location of aweight pocket is the waistband portion of the garment. In order toimprove the concealment of the weight, the weights may be formed asgenerally flat slabs that are flexible. As such the weight can be shapedto conform to the user's waist. Weight pockets are also strategicallylocated in other areas of the garments selected to conceal the weightswhen the user is wearing the garment. Also disclosed are wrist cuffswhich include weight pockets for carrying weights that are concealed.

Moreover, U.S. Patent Publication Number 2017/0157447 disclosescosmetically hidden weighted garments. In one exemplary embodiment, thegarment includes a first layer of clothing material, a second layer ofclothing material, and a weight positioned in a weight area between thefirst layer and the second layer of clothing material, wherein theweight is positioned within or adjacent to a hemline or seam line of thegarment, or wherein the weight is configured to be positioned adjacentto a joint of a body when the garment is worn by a wearer.

However, these attempts generally involve insertion of a weight elementor material in a pocket created on or in a portion of an outer layer ofa garment or attachment of a self-contained weight element to aninterior side of an outer layer of a garment. Unfortunately, includingand concealing weight in clothing in this manner is an inefficientdesign which can lead to uneven distribution of the weight, negativeeffects on posture or comfort, and aesthetically unpleasing effects—likedrooping, bulging, and stretching—on the outer layer of clothing,limiting the clothing's utility. Further, concealing weight in an outerlayer of a garment also limits the type of material that can be used forsuch clothing items, because of the weight capacity of such material,thereby also limiting the aesthetics of the garment. Consequently, thereexists a need for clothing, particularly that of the upper body, whichovercomes the provided challenges to encourage use for fitness andtherapy purposes, not only inside a gym or fitness center, but also incontexts outside of such locations.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an upper body garment that, in oneor more aspects, provides additional utility both inside a gym orfitness center as well as outside of such locations through an efficientdesign providing an even distribution of weight, minimizing negativeeffects on posture and comfort, and providing pleasing aestheticfeatures while still providing weighted functionality. In oneembodiment, the upper body garment is of a vest style having a fullfront zipper and includes an inner weighted layer disposed between andconcealed by an outer layer and lining layer. The outer layer is made ofa fashionable and aesthetically pleasing material and is affixed to theinner weighted layer and lining layer along a neck portion, an armholeportion, a hem portion, and along the placket closing zipper. Thereby,the inner weighted layer is concealed from view.

Also in an embodiment, the inner weighted layer comprises an uppersegment, also called a yoke, and a lower segment affixed together. Theupper segment extends from the neck portion down to the lower portion ofthe armhole, below which it is affixed to the lower segment. In oneembodiment, the lower segment comprises sewn on packets, filled withglass microbead weighted material, forming a grid arrangement. The gridarrangement provides even weight distribution while the load of theweight is carried by the upper segment thereof. The attachment of theweighted packets to the inner weighted layer rather than any structureof the outer layer provides for an enhanced aesthetic by reducingbulging, stretching, and drooping of any portion of the outer layerwhich would otherwise have been affected by weighted material. The innerweighted layer is affixed to the outer layer and lining along a neckportion, armhole portion, a hem portion, and along a placket closingzipper. Thereby, the inner weighted layer is disposed behind the outerlayer and is concealed from view.

Moreover, the vest garment also comprises a lining layer in oneembodiment. The lining layer further conceals the inner weighted layerby enclosing it between the outer layer and lining layer. The lininglayer, like the other disclosed layers, would be affixed to the outerlayer and inner weighted layer along a neck portion, armhole portion, ahem portion, and along a placket closing zipper. In certain embodimentsthe lining layer also comprises shoulder pads to provide comfort to auser from the load and weight placed on their shoulders from theweighted packets through the upper segment of the inner weighted layer.In an alternative embodiment, the shoulder pads may be affixed to theinner weighted layer instead of the lining layer, so the shoulder padsare disposed between the lining layer and the inner weighted layer.

In additional embodiments, the garment may also include pocketenclosures, sometimes referred to in the industry as pocket bags,affixed to the outer layer to be accessible through an opening therein.The pocket enclosures may extend through a space between the outer layerand inner weighted layer or between the inner weighted layer and lininglayer. The pocket enclosures, wherever extended, may be sewn to aportion of either bounding layer to prevent them from turning insideout. A similar but opposed optional structure may also be available forembodiments with pockets with openings located in the lining layer.

In an alternative embodiment, an upper body garment may comprise onlythe outer layer and inner weighted layer. Moreover, it is alsounderstood that, in certain embodiments, the outer layer may have anopening and some or all of the weighted packets may be removablyattached to the inner weighted layer, such as through hook and loopfasteners. In such embodiments, the addition, removal, or exchange ofweighted packets would extend the useful life of the garment by allowingalteration of the weight and defective weighted packets to be replaced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with regard to the followingdescription, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of one embodiment of a concealed weightincorporating upper body garment of a vest style having a lining layer,zipper-closable placket, and pockets;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the outer layer of one embodiment of aconcealed weight incorporating upper body garment of a vest style havinga lining layer, zipper-closable placket, and pockets. With the exceptionof the yoke seam, the dotted lines along the placket and on portions ofthe perimeter represent sewn seams where the layers would be connected;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the inner weighted layer of one embodiment ofa concealed weight incorporating upper body garment of a vest stylehaving a lining layer, and zipper-closable placket. The dotted linesalong the placket and on portions of the perimeter represent sewn seamswhere the layers would be connected and forming the grid patternrepresent weighted packets sewn onto the bottom segment of the innerweighted layer;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the lining layer of one embodiment of aconcealed weight incorporating upper body garment of a vest style havinga lining layer, zipper-closable placket, and pockets. The dotted linesalong the placket and on portions of the perimeter represent sewn seamswhere the inner and outer layers would be connected. The dotted linesextending inward from the side seams and then back to the side seamrepresent how the pockets from the outer layer are sewn on the outerfront portion thereof to anchor them; and

FIG. 5 is a step-by-step front view of a packet being formed but notfully closed in (1), filled with weighted material (2), and, finally,fully closed around the perimeter thereof (3). The dotted linesrepresent a sewn seam on the inner weighted layer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference now to the drawings, an upper body garment incorporatinga weight affixed to an inner weighted layer concealed by an outer layeris herein described.

First Representative Embodiment of the Upper Body Garment

As shown in FIGS. 1-4 , a first embodiment of the upper body garmentincludes an outer layer, an inner weighted layer, and a lining layeraffixed together so that the inner weighted layer is disposed betweenand concealed by the outer layer and the lining layer. The layers areaffixed together along various portions of the perimeter, such as theneck portion and the hem portion, as illustrated by the dashed linesaround the perimeter portions of the images in FIGS. 1-4 . In caseswhere the garment has sleeves that are affixed to an armhole, or nosleeves at all, the layers may also be affixed together around thearmhole, as shown in the images in FIGS. 1-4 . Additionally, the layersmay be affixed along a placket, i.e., a slit or opening in a garment, orto a portion of the closure means for the placket, as in the zipperalong the front of the vest of FIG. 2 . These details are explained morefully below in reference to FIGS. 1-4 .

The outer layer 101, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , may be composed of anaesthetically pleasing material or feature aesthetically pleasingcharacteristics or features to allow for use outside of a gym or fitnesscenter setting. Also, the outer layer 101 may have an opening 111 a ineither or both sides along the lower section of the outer layer 101which leads to a pocket enclosure 111 (shown in FIG. 4 ) extendingthrough the layers and affixed to one of the layers, such as the lininglayer 110 like in the first embodiment. The use of pockets enhances theutility of the garment while affixing the enclosure of the pocketprevents the pocket from being pulled out and any contents beinginadvertently pulled out or lost.

The inner weighted layer 102, as shown in FIG. 3 , has an upper segment103, colloquially known as a yoke, and a lower segment 104. As shown,the upper segment 103 extends from the neck portion 105 down to a lowerportion of the armhole 106, and the lower segment 104—comprising theportion having a grid of sewn together, or quilted, weighted packets 107in the first embodiment—extends from the upper segment 103 down to thehem portion 108. The upper segment 103 does not have weighted materialaffixed and provides the point of contact through which the weight fromthe grid of weighted packets 107 is transferred to the shoulders of awearer.

The lower segment 104 is comprised of two fabric panels, and theweighted packets 107 of the first embodiment are created by “quilting”the weighted material between the two panels, thereby creating the gridformation of the weighted packets 107, as shown in FIG. 3 , and asillustrated by the steps of FIG. 5 . Between the two fabric panels usedto create the lower segment 104, glass microbeads 109, as shown in FIG.5 are used as the weighted material, which then create the weightedpackets 107 when the two panels are quilted together in a grid (or otheralternative) formation. The grid formation of the weighted packets 107assists with the even distribution of weight, but alternative formationsof the weighted packets 107 could be used. To further prevent weightimbalances, the packets 107 are filled to a roughly maximum capacitywith the glass microbeads, as shown in the third step and image in FIG.5 , preventing shifting of the material therein.

The lining layer 110, shown in FIG. 4 , is utilized to further concealthe inner weighted layer 102 in the first embodiment. Moreover, in thefirst embodiment, the lining layer 110 also provides an anchor point forthe pocket enclosure 111 extending from the opening 111 a in the outerlayer 101 and through the inner weighted layer 102. The lining layer 110also assists with prevention of inadvertent contact with one of theweighted packets 107 which might cause damage thereto.

To construct the upper body garment of the first embodiment, a userwould generally construct the lower segment 104 of the inner weightedlayer 102, “filling” each packet 107 and fully sealing them by“quilting” together the two panels of the lower segment 104 to createthe inner weighted layer 102. Preferably, the upper segment 103 and thelower segment 104 are joined together prior to the weighted materialbeing added to the lower segment 104 to create the weighted packets 107.Thereafter, a user could then affix the inner weighted layer 102 withthe outer layer 101 through the neck portion 105, hem portion 108,placket portion, and armhole portion 106. Similarly, a user wouldfinally insert and affix the lining layer 110 to the combined outerlayer 101 and inner weighted layer 102 along the same portions outlinedpreviously. Thereby, a user can construct a weighted upper body garmentwhere the weight is concealed between the outer layer 101 and the lininglayer 110, as in the first embodiment, and where the load or force ofthe weight is not translated to the outer layer 101, which would causeunsightly stretching, drooping, or bulging effects thereupon and alsolimit the type of material that can be used for the garment because ofthe weight capacity limits of certain material. Instead, the load orforce of the weight would be translated to a wearer's shoulders throughthe upper portion 103, or yoke, of the inner weighted layer 102. Theplacket portion may be designed to be closed by a zipper 112 or otherclosure means.

Alternative Representative Embodiments and Element Variations

Though the first embodiment has been previously disclosed as comprisingthree layers, it is foreseen that the upper body garment could comprisemerely two layers, the outer layer 101 and the inner weighted layer 102,in an alternative embodiment. Moreover, while the first embodiment hasbeen shown as a vest, it is foreseen that, in alternative embodiments,the upper body garment could be of any style or type. Examples includelong sleeve and short sleeve dress shirts, t-shirts, blouses, tank tops,and virtually any outerwear. In certain embodiments it is also foreseenthat the layers may be affixed at alternative perimeter points thanthose described for the first embodiment. For example, a lining layer110 may be affixed to an outer layer 101 at the cuff of the sleeveinstead of the armhole 106 for a particular outerwear upper bodygarment.

Outer Layer

It is foreseen that the outer layer 101 may be composed of any materialhaving desirable features or characteristics. Indeed, while the materialof the first embodiment has been described as aesthetically pleasing, itis to be understood that due to the subjective nature of taste, such astatement is not limiting but implies that the outer layer 101 iscomposed of a material that will encourage a user to wear the upper bodygarment. Additionally, the outer layer 101 may be constructed of anintegrally formed piece of material or various pieces of materialaffixed together. Moreover, while the placket closure means has beendescribed as a zipper, the placket could be unfinished or have anotherclosure means, such as buttons or hook and loop fasteners.Alternatively, the upper body garment might not have a placket andclosure means at all.

Furthermore, it is foreseen that in certain embodiments, the outer layer101 may have one or more openings 111 a—closable or not—which provideaccess to the inner weighted layer 102 while still providing concealmentduring normal use. The opening(s) 111 a would be particularly useful inembodiments where the weighted packets 107 may be removably attached tothe inner weighted layer 102. Additionally, it is also foreseen that theopening(s) might be adjacent a connecting portion, such as those of theneck portion 105, armhole portion 106, hem portion 108, and zipperportion 112 of the first embodiment. Thereby, the opening might be lessnoticeable, and a pleasing aesthetic might be maintained.

Inner Weighted Layer

While the inner weighted layer 102 of the first embodiment has beendescribed as comprising an upper segment 103 and lower segment 104, itis foreseen that these segments might be integrally formed. Moreover, itis also foreseen that the inner weighted layer 102 might be composed ofa material to facilitate the attachment of separate weighted packets 107in certain embodiments. Additionally, in certain embodiments it isforeseen that the inner weighted layer 102 may have padding along theupper segment 103 thereof, particularly the points adjacent to a user'sshoulders. Thereby, padding may maximize user comfort by relieving thepressure of the weight on the shoulders.

Weighted Packets

While the weighted packets 107 of the first embodiments have beendescribed as being formed with the inner weighted layer 102 and arrangedin a grid pattern, it is foreseen that these characteristics might bedifferent in different embodiments. For example, it is foreseen that theweighted packets 107 may be separately formed enclosures of weightedmaterial. Separately formed weighted packets 107 might then be useful bybeing added, removed, or exchanged with others through attachment to theinner weighted layer 102. For example, a user might add weighted packets107 to the inner weighted layer 102 where both the weighted packetenclosure and inner weighted layer material comprise hook and loopfastener material. Moreover, it is also foreseen that the weightedpackets 107 may be attached in alternative arrangements, in a pattern orin no pattern. While a pattern might be beneficial in preventing animbalance, an imbalance may be desired for some fitness or therapeuticpurpose or may not be important due to the weights involved or structureof the upper body garment.

Furthermore, while the weighted material utilized in the weightedpackets 107 has been disclosed as glass microbeads 109, it is foreseenthat other suitable alternatives may be utilized. Also, it is foreseenthat the weighted packets 107 might not be fully filled with theweighted material, allowing it to shift within the packet. While fullyfilling the packet might prevent shifting and imbalances, an imbalancemay be desired for some fitness or therapeutic purpose or shifting mightbe less troublesome due to the weights involved or structure of theupper body garment.

Lining Layer

While the lining layer 110 has been described more by its purpose—hidingthe inner weighted layer 102 and providing a mild protective benefit—forthat of the first embodiment, it is foreseen that the lining layer 110may have any characteristics or features beneficial to the upper bodygarment. Indeed, in one embodiment the lining layer 110 may alsocomprise shoulder pads to cushion the weight applied by the innerweighted layer 102 on a user's shoulders. Moreover, the lining layer 110may also have an opening to access the inner weighted layer 102, likethat of the outer layer 101. Similarly, the opening may also be locatedadjacent to a connecting portion, such as those of the neck portion 105,armhole portion 106, hem portion 108, side seam 113, and zipper portion112 of the first embodiment. Thereby, the opening might be lessnoticeable, and a pleasing aesthetic might be maintained. Lastly, thelining layer 110 may also be affixed to the inner weighted layer 102 atadditional points to increase structural resilience of the garment.Unlike the outer layer 101, it is unlikely that the lining layer 110will be visible when a user is wearing the upper body garment. Thereby,any stretching, drooping, or bulging of the lining layer 110 due to theweighted material is less impactful to the aesthetic of the garment,particularly the outer layer 101 people will see.

Pockets

While the first embodiment discloses pocket enclosures 111 extendingfrom the openings 111 a in the outer layer 101 through the innerweighted layer 102 to be affixed to the lining layer 111, it is foreseenthat alternative assemblies may be utilized for any pockets. Inadditional embodiments, the garment may also include pocket enclosuresaffixed to the outer layer 101 to be accessible through an openingtherein. The pocket enclosures may be located in the space between theouter layer 101 and inner weighted layer 102 or between the innerweighted layer 102 and lining layer 110—through another opening in theinner weighted layer 102. The pocket enclosures, wherever located, maybe sewn to a portion of either bounding layer to prevent them fromturning inside out. In certain embodiments where the garment does nothave a lining layer 110, it is understood that any pockets would belocated between the outer layer 101 and inner weighted layer 102. Asimilar optional structure to that of the first embodiment may also beavailable for embodiments with pockets with openings located in thelining layer 110.

The term “comprises” and grammatical equivalents thereof are used hereinto mean that other components, ingredients, steps, etc. are optionallypresent. For example, an article “comprising” (or “which comprises”)components A, B, and C can consist of (i.e., contain only) components A,B, and C, or can contain not only components A, B, and C but also one ormore other components.

Although the present invention has been described in considerable detailwith possible reference to certain preferred versions thereof, otherversions are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appendedclaims should not be limited to the description of the preferredversions contained herein. All features disclosed in this specificationmay be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent, orsimilar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unlessexpressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example onlyof a generic series of equivalent or similar features. Further, it isnot necessary for all embodiments of the invention to have all theadvantages of the invention or fulfill all the purposes of theinvention.

In the present description, the claims below, and in the accompanyingdrawings, reference is made to particular features of the invention. Itis to be understood that the disclosure of the invention in thisspecification includes all possible combinations of such particularfeatures. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in thecontext of a claim, that feature can also be employed, to the extentpossible, in aspects and embodiments of the invention, and in theinvention generally.

Also, although the description above contains many specificities, theseshould not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments but asmerely providing illustrations of some of several embodiments. Thus, thescope of the embodiments should be determined by the appended claims andtheir legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.

What is claimed is:
 1. An upper body garment comprising: an outer layercomprising a neck portion, an armhole portion, and a hem portion; aninner weighted layer comprising an upper segment and lower segment,wherein a portion of said upper segment is affixed to said neck portionof said outer layer and said lower segment is affixed to said hemportion of said outer layer; and weighted packets containing a weightedmaterial affixed to at least said lower segment of said inner weightedlayer and said weighted material so said weighted material is enclosedseparate from said outer layer and said outer layer is unattached tosaid weighted packets, whereby said outer layer conceals said weightedmaterial.
 2. The upper body garment of claim 1, further comprising alining layer affixed to said outer layer so said inner weighted layerand said weighted packets are disposed between said outer layer and saidlining layer to fully conceal said weighted packets.
 3. The upper bodygarment of claim 1, wherein said weighted material fills said weightedpackets to prevent shifting.
 4. The upper body garment of claim 1,wherein said weighted packets are disposed in a grid pattern along saidlower segment to balance said weighted material.
 5. The upper bodygarment of claim 1, wherein said weighted material comprises glassmicrobeads.
 6. The upper body garment of claim 1, wherein a portion ofsaid outer layer and inner weighted layer and at least one of theweighted packets are removably affixed to allow a user to replace saidweighted packets or change the weight of said garment.
 7. The upper bodygarment of claim 1, wherein said outer layer has a releasably closedaperture and at least one of the weighted packets are removably affixedto said inner weighted layer to allow a user to interchange saidweighted packets.
 8. The upper body garment of claim 1, furtherincluding shoulder pads affixed to an upper segment of said innerweighted layer on a side thereof opposite said outer layer.
 9. The upperbody garment of claim 2, further including shoulder pads affixed to saidlining layer.
 10. The upper body garment of claim 1, further including areleasably closable placket through said outer layer and inner weightedlayer.
 11. The upper body garment of claim 2, further including areleasably closable placket through said outer layer, inner weightedlayer, and lining layer.
 12. An upper body garment comprising: an outerlayer comprising a neck portion, an armhole portion, and a hem portion;an inner weighted layer comprising an upper segment and lower segment,wherein a portion of said upper segment is affixed to said neck portionof said outer layer and said lower segment is affixed to said hemportion of said outer layer; and weighted packets containing a weightedmaterial, wherein a portion of each of said weighted packets is formedfrom said inner weighted layer so said weighted material is enclosedseparate from said outer layer and said outer layer is unattached tosaid weighted packets, whereby said outer layer conceals said weightedmaterial.
 13. The upper body garment of claim 12, further comprising alining layer affixed to said outer layer so said inner weighted layerand said weighted packets are disposed between said outer layer and saidlining layer to fully conceal said weighted packets.
 14. The upper bodygarment of claim 12, wherein said weighted material fills said weightedpackets to prevent shifting.
 15. The upper body garment of claim 12,wherein said weighted packets are disposed in a grid pattern along saidlower segment to balance said weighted material.
 16. The upper bodygarment of claim 12, wherein said weighted material comprises glassmicrobeads.
 17. The upper body garment of claim 12, further includingshoulder pads affixed to an upper segment of said inner weighted layeron a side thereof opposite said outer layer.
 18. The upper body garmentof claim 13, further including shoulder pads affixed to said lininglayer.
 19. The upper body garment of claim 12, further including areleasably closable placket through said outer layer and inner weightedlayer.
 20. The upper body garment of claim 13, further including areleasably closable placket through said outer layer, inner weightedlayer, and lining layer.